What's Wrong with this cat?

[Debb]

I am trying to get some suggestions to help my cousin's cat. She doesn't use a computer.

She got the cat from a local rescue about one year ago. The cat is now about 3 years old. At the time she was adopted, she was living in a foster home. They said she was friendly and loving. (I don't believe it) She was found abandoned in a field with her 4 kittens. They all survived.

When we went to get her she was not friendly to my cousin. They sat in a room and the cat never warmed up to her. I left the room and looked around at all the other cats in the place. They were meowing and trying their best to get petted, but not this cat. My cousin got her anyway.

At first the cat used the litter box, but she still was not friendly. Let's say her name is Beatrice. After a couple of weeks, Beatrice started spraying, yes female cats can do it and this one is spayed. She sprays the walls on a regular basis. She also poops in the middle of the floor, when she has a perfectly fresh clean, unscented litter box. (She has tried different heights of box and some with covers, it doesn't matter.) She may use the litter box most of the day, but sometimes goes on the floor. This has been going on for about a year. My cousin loves Beatrice and will not give her up...no matter what.

My cousin says Beatrice doesn't cover it with litter like most cats. She thinks she doesn't know how. Is this taught when they are kittens?
There are no other cats or pets in the home.

The cat is also very unfriendly. She doesn't even walk up and rub against your legs like most cats. She will not allow you to hold her at all. Picking her up is an ordeal.

My cousin has had pets, including cats her entire life, as have I and we have never seen anything like it. My cousin gives her a Tempation Treat every time she uses the litter box. She just ignores it when she uses the floor or wall. I have read every article on line and bought her the cleaning stuff to get it off the surfaces. I also got her the stuff you spray that is pleasant smelling and supposedly makes them enjoy the room and not poop on it. They did nothing.

The cat has been checked out and has no medical problems. She is well fed. We have both bought her unique and interesting toys to amuse her. We got everything with lights, sound, bells, mice, feathers, you name.....except the cat just looks at them. She may paw at it for 10 seconds or so and then she walks a way...a toy with catnip may get 20 seconds of her time, then she moves on and just sits there. The only thing that got her running around was chasing a laser light I just bought, but that is it.

It this normal. Could this cat be depressed. My cousin talks kindly to the cat all day. My cousin is disabled and home all day. She also allows the cat to do anything it wants. She can walk on the kitchen counter, dining table, etc. She never scolds her. She also gets up at 3:00 a.m. every morning when the cat awakes her and wants food. She feeds her about a tablespoon of food at that hour.

The cat is always inside but has several windows to look out of and a large sliding glass door to lounge whenever she wants. The house is roomy and the cat has plenty of room to roam. She is not scary and doesn't run when guest come in. She just looks at you. I have never seen her allow my cousin to pet her. She has allowed me to stroker her head only twice in 1 year for about 5 seconds.

How can you continue to care for a cat that gives you no affection and lots of extra clean up duty? Any suggestions? How can her floor stand up to that kind of abuse for another 15 years or more? I think the cat is miserable but don't know why.

[incidentally]

http://www.cara-adopt.org/feralcats.html

http://amby.com/cat_site/carter_4.html

The above may help.

[dgfred]

The only thing I know would be to put the cat in a large cage for awhile until it gets 'more friendly'. Maybe this would teach it to also use the litter box instead of sitting around in it's poo all day. Sounds like it might be a bit older than you think, and set in it's ways. She may need to get another cat, well behaved and the other will see/learn the right way to act.

[Details]

A second cat might be nice for your cousin - but it'd have to be a kitten, and even then a good chance this cat won't like it (if feral - it's a whole different thing than a normal cat). If she goes that way - just my typical 2 cats advice - she can expect 1 FULL week of "I hate you!" between the two cats. At the end of that week, she will either see a softening, some signs they're willing to coexist - or not. If it's not - it'll never happen. But no matter what that week looks like (almost) - wait until the end of it. I had a cat that growled the ENTIRE week - 24/7 - even while she ate, washed, etc. Chased kitten away every single time she saw her. At the end of the week - the growling stopped, and she only chased kitten if kitten was too close. At the end of the next week, kitten was sleeping beside her, and my adult cat rolled her head over, and started washing her. They were the best of friends after that.

If - and I know this isn't what you were talking about - but if - your cousin gets another cat - post here first, for some important advice to give them the best chance possible to get along. I know I'm not the only one that knows some of the tricks.

I'm sure the cat gives her affection - otherwise I agree, she probably wouldn't be keeping it, let alone getting up at all hours - or maybe she just likes being needed. However - has she thought about free feeding it? Cats aren't like dogs, they will stop themselves from overeating in most cases, so you can just give them a full foodbowl - that'd keep her from having to get up at 3am.

Litterbox is instinctual - even when they've never seen one before. I know this one for sure - a friend hand raised kittens abandoned right after birth, feeding them, washing them, the whole bit. When they got old enough, she put a litter box in there, up hopped a kitten, did it's thing, covered it - done. They'd never seen it done, she didn't try to show them - they just did it.

A carrier might indeed be a way to go to teach it to stop messing other places. Also, there are products that will smell bad to the cat, even make it sneeze - that's a better way to go, because cats always sniff the area first. Put that wherever she usually marks. Many of these are pretty cheap - 10-20 bucks for a bottle that should last a long time.




I had a cat who wouldn't let me pick her up either. That's more a sign of the cat's independence - and she had to be to survive - than a sign of dislike. In my cat's case, though - it was a slightly botched neutering job that made her stomach tender.

Disliking the cool and expensive toys we get them - that's another typical cat thing. Every cat has different play styles. A runner wants to run after things -like laser light pointers, a string that moves very fast, etc. A jumper likes things that are off the ground. Some cats do not respond at all to catnip, and the key for a toy is that it is something they can bat at and have it twitch and spin - some marketed toys have smooth sides, nothing the claw can catch into for them to bat it like they'd like, others make too much noise - cats are not big fans of noise. Often the simplest and cheapest are best - milk carton rings, yarn mice.

[dgfred]

Yes, the litter box use is instinctive... I've raised about 10 litters throughout my life.

[Brentwood]

I was watching the show "it is me or the dog" (show is about all types of pets, not just dogs). The cat featured on one of their shows had similar problems and the professionals decided that the cat was insecure. They took a damp cloth and pet the cat with it to pick up it's odor then, wiped the cloth in places at the cats level and on window sills, etc. in the house. In the show, it apparently worked and made the cat feel more secure when it smelled his own scent in various places in the house.

[Debb]

Thank all of you for your great comments!! They are right on point!! It's given me quite a lot to consider. I will share it with my cousin. The links above discuss traits of feral cats. I now believe Beatrice was originally feral. I had not considered that earlier. We just thought she was abandoned and perhaps on her own for awhile until she had the kittens. I now suspect she was born feral and lived that way until she was rescued with her kittens and the rescuers tried to tame her. She may be as tame as she is going to get. I think they should have been more upfront about her background.

The other link is on territorial markings. It says when a cat refuses to cover its droppings, it it saying "Watch out, I'm top cat around here and tough enough that I don't have to cover my droppings." I think that is what is happening there.

The reason she gets up to feed at 3:00 a.m. is because she says Beatrice wants her canned food with a splash of warm water at that time. I know, it's silly to me, but I don't think she's going to stop doing that unless the vet says she should.

I suggested adopting another cat to my cousin last week. I thought the new cat might be a good influence. I think my cousin is afraid Beatrice might get jealous. I'm going to give her all the info you guys have provided and she can make the decision. If she does get another one, I'll post here first so she can get the heads up on selection and early introduction.

Thanks again.

[Debb]

Thank you all again for the info. I just called and suggested the wet wash cloth idea to my cousin as well as the other info. I'm mailing her the print outs of the articles.

Mora, I know you are going through a lot right now. I appreciate you taking the time to share your expertise. We have tried to figure out what could be bothering the cat and just can't. I think she may have it too good and perhaps a few rules would help her feel more secure, but what do I know.

For now, she's going to follow all the suggestions on this thread if feasible. Keep them coming if possible. She is also going to consider getting an addition of another cat, probably a kitten. I may even call in a cat whisperer. Do they work? LOL.

[coffee1950j]

Has she tried changing the brand of litter? I have 3 cats. 2 of them will "go" in any litter, no matter what brand. The other one will only go in one particular brand. I changed it once and found out the hard way, lol.

[Details]

With a possibly feral cat, with a difficult cat especially - make sure it's a kitten. Another adult cat will be considered an intruder, an invader, to be fought. A kitten will still be an intruder, but much less of a threat, and may evoke some maternal instincts. A kitten is always a MUCH easier adaption.

[Carol25]

I can't help thinking of al the kitties who just wanted to be loved who sat there waiting to be discovered and possibly destroyed. What a shame.

[sunstar]

If she really was abandoned with her four kittens, it could be an issue with her still. Or it sounds like it may be she was a feral cat who had no home to begin with. In that case she could be more prone to marking her territory even now that she's living inside. Did your cousin ever have any other pets inside that house? She may be picking up the scent even though it's been years since. Bless your cousin's heart for her patience ~ so many people wouldn't have given this baby another chance. :wub:

[Debb]

If she really was abandoned with her four kittens, it could be an issue with her still. Or it sounds like it may be she was a feral cat who had no home to begin with. In that case she could be more prone to marking her territory even now that she's living inside. Did your cousin ever have any other pets inside that house? She may be picking up the scent even though it's been years since. Bless your cousin's heart for her patience ~ so many people wouldn't have given this baby another chance. :wub:


In response to some of the other posts: She has tried several kinds of litter. Some the cat didn't like. She settled on a natural kind. I looked at it last week. It's tan in color and has no scent to it. The cat will use it most of the time, but then she will also go use the walls and floor. I think my cousin underreports how often it happens, but it happens at least several times per week. I really am now inclined to believe it is a territorial issue because she was once feral. I also think that is why she is so standoffish. I think she may be operating at her highest capability on the friendly scale.

My cousin had another cat prior to this one. The previous cat was given to her as a kitten. It had strayed upon a friends yard. She had it spayed and got it shots, but sadly, it had leukemia. She was inside all the time, so she must have contracted before she got her. That cat was a joy! She was loving and so happy. My cousin was devastated when she died. A few months later she got Beatrice. She cleaned the house and threw out all signs of the previous cat.

The foster home Beatrice was in had dogs, other cats and children. They said she got along well with them all, especially the young boy. I found this almost impossible to believe, but that's what they said. They did not report any litter or spraying problems.

I think I will encourage her to get a kitten or do you think it may be better to see if they will let her foster a kitten for awhile.

I just hate for years to go by and she gets even more attached to this cat and then has to part with it. She is disabled and if she must have someone come in to care for her and her house, they will not tolerate the spraying and pooping on the floor. It is also ruining her property, because the cat is doing it on carpet and wood baseboards. I am an animal lover, but I don't know how much tolerance is acceptable when your home is being damaged. I just hope she finds the solution and it stops.

[Debb]

Thank you for sharing your story. It is so wonderful to hear of pets who have such a long wonderful life and who offer people so much companionship. I know my cousin loves Beatrice, however, from what she says I think much of it is worry for the cat. She has told me many times that no one else would put up with the cat's behavior and that is why she can't give her up. I have assured her that the cat would never be put down for her behavior. (The rescue she came from is a no kill facility and they never put down their animals. If you can't keep the animal, they require by contract that you give it back to them. They will find another home or keep in themself for the rest of the animal's life. They will not put it down, unless there is some serious medical problem.)

I also wonder if the cat misses the little boy from the foster home. The articles I have read on territorial marking, did not mention that as a possible cause.

My hope is that the two of them will become very bonded and that the behavior problems stop and they have a very long, happy life together. That is my prayer.

[Spyder88]

Make sure this cat has no urinary problems, such as bladder or kidney problems. Sometimes, if it's painful for the cat to urinate, they will equate the litter box with the pain and then go hither and yon trying to escape the agony. My cat has a constant bladder problem so I give her towels to go on. It's not her fault and it's nothing we can cure at this point. So...we live with it.

Feral cats are a wonderful thing, but you must learn to accept them on their terms. Nature isn't something to change...it's something to nurture. :thumbsup:

[Debb]

Thanks Spyder. I will suggest she get it checked again, but they say there is no physcial problem. When she sprays, she will back up to the wall and do it. If my cousin catches her backing up to do it, she will say to her "Why don't you go use your litter box?" I guess the cat picks up disapproval in her tone and then will go to the litter box.

I'm sure my cousin will tolerate anything that Beatrice does. It's just the problems that lay down the road that concern me. I have promised her to help in anyway I can to solve the problem.

[Details]

From the sound - the cat isn't happy - maybe it does miss the other home, who knows. She should talk to the shelter she got her from. It really does sound like it's a bad fit, and cat urine - that stuff gets into the carpet padding, walls, is almost impossible to remove after awhile - I hate to say it, but with a no-kill option, I think she should look at exchanging her for another cat. Beatrice isn't seeming to settle in well, sounds like more than enough time has passed, she's not going to adapt much more.

I'm sure she'll miss Beatrice, but every cat has their personality, she can get another that will be another wonderful companion.

[Debb]

Details, I think you make a very valid point. I think another cat would make sense, but I really doubt that I would ever be able to convince my cousin of that.

I think I will call the adoption agency and chat with them about it. Perhaps they have encountered the situation before and could offer some input.